Abstract: Aromatic monoanhydride-esters of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is ##STR2## and R.sup.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or --OCH.sub.3 are useful as endcapping agents for the synthesis of multifunctional high temperature resins such as polyimides, polyimide-esters, polyimide-ethers and polyimide-amides.